A federal grand jury in Bowling Green has indicted a man from Franklin, Kentucky on charges related to child sexual exploitation. The indictment, returned on March 12, 2025, accuses Joseph N. Roush of distributing and possessing child pornography as well as sexually exploiting children.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations Nashville, and Sheriff Jere Hopson of the Simpson County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the indictment details, Roush is facing one count each for distribution and possession of child pornography and sexual exploitation of children. He had an initial court appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky where he was ordered to be detained pending trial.
If convicted, Roush could face a minimum sentence of 15 years up to a maximum sentence of 70 years in prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge who will consider various guidelines and statutory factors. It should be noted that there is no parole available in the federal system.
This case is under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations along with the Simpson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus from the Paducah Branch Office is prosecuting.
An indictment serves only as an allegation; all defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.